Solid sulfonated silica acid catalyst for epoxidation of podocarpus falcatus seed oil

Abstract

This study presents epoxidizing podocarpus falcatus seed oil through epoxidation reaction by using synthesized solid sulfonated silica catalyst from locally available sugarcane bagasse ash. The prepared sulfonated solid acid silica catalyst was characterized using bulk density, porosity, surface area, thermogravimetric, powder X-ray diffractometer, and FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy). Thus, synthesized sulfonated silica catalyst works successfully for epoxidation of podocarpus falcatus seed oil. The epoxidation reaction was analyzed by design expert software Box-Behnken with four factors three-level: reaction temperatures, the molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide to the podocarpus falcatus seed oil double bond, reaction times, and catalyst loading. From the experimental results, the maximum relative conversion of oxirane of 84.75% was obtained using a temperature of 70 °C, hydrogen to carbon carbon double bond molar ratio of 2.5:1, using cata lyst 5 (% w/w), and at 4-h reaction time. The product of epoxidized podocarpus falcatus oil was characterized by identifying the functional group, and composition of podocarpus falcatus seed oil, in comparison to epoxidized podocarpus falcatus oil, using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The produced epoxidiz ing podocarpus falcatus seed oil can be substitutes for petrochemical resources because of its sustainable, renewable, and environment-friendly nature.